Image
Bare Bones Research
February 20, 2008This whale bonefrom the collection at the New Bedford Whaling Museumwas examined by WHOI biologist Michael Moore and colleagues to help determine if whales can get “the bends,” also known as decompression illness. Researchers examined fresh and archived whale bones for damage caused by nitrogen bubbles that form when a whale surfaces too rapidly from the high-pressure depths. The bubbles obstruct blood flow and lead to bone damage.
(Photo by Tom Kleindinst, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)
Image and Visual Licensing
WHOI copyright digital assets (stills and video) contained on this website can be licensed for non-commercial use upon request and approval. Please contact WHOI Digital Assets at images@whoi.edu or (508) 289-2647.